Emergency Preparedness

Disasters can strike at any time. Is your family prepared?

We cannot control the weather or prevent disasters from
happening, but you can take steps to minimize risks. This web page will help you
make a plan, build a kit and get informed. Here's what you and your family can
do:

1) Make a family disaster plan

Emergency Plan Form in PDFYour family may
not be together when they happen, so it is important to plan for a disaster in
advance. All families are different, so make a plan that fits your family. Each
family member needs to understand the plan and know which tasks they will be asked to do. Sit down together and
decide how you will get in touch with each other, where you will go and what
you will do in different emergency situations.

This form requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and print. The
Acrobat Reader allow you to fill out and save the form on your computer. This
is a resource from the DSHS Ready or Not? campaign.

Here are some other things to consider when making your plan:

Escape routes:You need to know escape routes from each room in your house as well as
from your neighborhood.

Draw up a floor plan. Each room should have two exits. Choose a place
where everyone will gather after they've left the house. Be sure to practice
drills with to make sure it works for everyone.

For neighborhood escape routes, draw a map that shows all the streets names
so if authorities give evacuation instructions, you will know where to go.

Family communication:It's important to plan how everyone will contact each other if you get
separated in an emergency. Complete a contact card for each family member
listing the phone number of an out-of-town contact and other important numbers.
Everyone should keep a card in a wallet, purse or backpack.

Communication with emergency staff:If you get hurt because of an accident or disaster, you may be unable to
speak with emergency medical technicians. In these cases, paramedics and other
emergency responders l often look for a victim's cell phone for clues to their
identity and emergency contacts.

You can make their job much easier by adding an entry in the contacts
list of your cell phone: ICE. ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency."
Add an entry, label it ICE, and enter the name and phone number of the person
the emergency services should call for you. Doing this takes only a few
moments, but it can save time so they can contact your loved ones quickly.
Paramedics know what ICE means, and they look for it immediately.

Utility shut-off and safety:For some types of disasters, you may need to disconnect utility services
to your home. Natural gas leaks are the number one cause of fires after a
disaster.

Be sure that responsible family members can turn off the gas,
electricity and water supplies. Contact your local utility company for proper
shut-off procedures and to find the location of shut-off valves and switches.

CAUTION! Never turn gas service back on by yourself. Service should be restored only by a trained professional.

2) Build a disaster kit

Being prepared involves more than just knowing what to do during an
emergency. If you are forced to shelter in place or evacuate your home, you may
not have time to gather all you need to keep your family safe and comfortable.
Use this checklist to create a list of
preparedness items you will need to survive. Build a kit now with enough
supplies to take care of each family member for at least three days.

It's best to store your supplies in air-tight, portable containers but
something as simple as plastic trash bags or a backpack will work. Be sure to
check your kit regularly and replace items that expire such as batteries and
food.

3) Get informed

Texas is prone to disasters of all kinds – from severe
weather events to industrial accidents. Terrorism also is a threat. Find out
what risks are common where you live. Might your community suffer a wildfire, drought, flood, tornado,
ice storm or hurricane? What about hazardous materials incidents or other types
of accidents?

When severe weather threatens, tune in to local radio, television or get information online from the National Weather Service about NOAA Weather Radio. Learn the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means that dangerous weather is possible. A warning means it's about to happen; seek shelter now.

General Information, Guides, Checklists

Texas Division of Emergency ManagementThe Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates the state emergency management program. TDEM ensures state and local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters. They also implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of disasters.

Prepare for EmergenciesAs public health emergencies arise in the United States, many people are concerned of recent hurricanes, tsunamis, acts of terrorism, and the threat of pandemic flu. The
American Red Cross provides guidance on steps you can take now to protect you and your loved ones.

Ready AmericaThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security promotes individual emergency preparedness through the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps. They work together to inform Americans to prepare for and respond
to emergencies like natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. They also have sections for older Americans, people with special needs, and pet owners.

Note: External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities.